Tim: Good afternoon everyone.
I hope We are ready to start.
While at times, When we’re being scolded, we might feel
that ignorance is bliss.
But it surely isn't when it comes to taking your vitamins.
My topic for the day is "5 Hidden Signs of Vitamin A Deficiency You Might Be Ignoring!"
Feel free to ask questions at any point if You have a doubt.
Before we dive into deficiency symptoms, let's start with understanding Vitamin A, a little
better.
Vitamin A or Retinol, is a fat-soluble organic compound.
It is converted in the body from dietary beta-carotene
and 3 other carotenoids.
Vitamin A is required for vision and epithelial tissue health.
Majority of vitamin A is stored in the liver.
Our liver is such a multifunctional organ, isn't it?
But the question is, what causes Vitamin deficiency
in the first place?
The normal range of vitamin A is 28–86 microgram per decilitre.
Serum level below this normal range is considered a deficiency.
Normally is it caused due to dietary deprivation over a long period of time.
So yes, your body gives you enough time to correct your diet before you have to bear
the consequences.
This deficiency can also result from retinol metabolic errors.
These errors can often affect its absorption, storage and transport.
Vitamin A plays a significant role in protecting you from Anaemia too.
It actually has been helping you since your fetal days.
If you want to know more about the journey to born, don’t forget to watch our video
on “What happens when you are born?”
Coming back to Vitamin A. During pregnancy, its demand is highest in the third trimester.
If there’s any sort of deficiency in its level, it can hamper brain development of
the fetus.
So, don’t forget to thank your mama for your smartness.
But what are some of the hidden signs our body shows to alert us of the deficiency?
Number 1.
Frequent and persistent skin infections.
Vitamin A is responsible for playing an important part in the creation and repair of skin cells.
Not taking enough amounts can lead to eczema and other skin problems.
Do you see?
Dandruff is not the reason behind your acne.
This brings us to our number 2.
Dandruff and dry hair.
By now you should have realised how interconnected our health issues are.
Hair damage is not always the result of bad weather or shampoo; the reason might also
be you preferring junk over innocent veggies.
I know dreaming about your favourite burger can keep you up all night, but so can Vitamin
A deficiency.
Number 3.
Night Blindness and Dry Eyes In severe cases of retinol deficiency, night
blindness is often reported.
In a 2005 study, it was reported that Vitamin A supplements improved the ability to adapt
to darkness by 50% in women over six weeks of treatment.
Women have more to do with Vitamin A than just the vision.
Number 4.
Infertility and Troublesome conceiving Vitamin A is not only important for development
during pregnancy, but also for becoming pregnant.
Its deficiency can lead to infertility in both men and women.
Studies done in female rats have confirmed this.
It can also lead to miscarriages.
A study confirmed low vitamin A levels in women having recurrent miscarriages.
Last but not least.
Throat Infections and Mouth Ulcers.
Nobody likes missing out on delicious food while waiting for mouth ulcers to heal, but
have you ever thought your diet might be responsible
for causing them in the first place?
Vitamin A supplements, when given to those in need, can be helpful in treating respiratory
tract infections.
But excess of anything can be dangerous.
So here we have a fun fact for you.
A 2003 study found that supplements of Vitamin A can increase the risk of developing throat
and chest infections by 8 percent.
Shocked?
So were the researchers.
But what exactly does excess of vitamins cause?
Comment below and keep the conversation going!